Is Matt Moore a 'franchise' quarterback?

DAVIE – — Miami Dolphins coach Tony Sparano has often used the term "now" to describe how the team has approached the past few games.

It's his way of saying the Dolphins only want to focus on the present instead of the future or past. So there's no point in asking him about next season's plans for quarterback Matt Moore.

They are content with his current play and would prefer not to discuss if they feel Moore is a "franchise" quarterback.

"Right now, I'm worried about one thing, this game Thursday," Sparano said of the Thanksgiving Day game against the Dallas Cowboys. "You guys can figure that out somewhere else down the road."

Moore has put up solid numbers while leading the Dolphins to three straight victories. He is 3-3 as a starter since replacing the injured Chad Henne, but Moore has completed 51 of 72 passes for 613 yards with six touchdowns and one interception during the win streak. Still, as the case much of the season, fans and media have focused on the long term.

Is Moore talented enough to be the quarterback of the future, or does that search begin with next year's NFL Draft? It's a question Sparano will deal with when the time comes. Until then, the Dolphins will revel in the success of Moore.

"Matt's done a tremendous job right now, and it's all about what you do with your opportunities in our league," Sparano said. "As of right now, he is doing a nice job with his opportunities. Matt will be the first to tell you that we need to continue to get better."

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Sparano listed third-down play as one of the main reasons for the improvement on defense. Last week Buffalo was 0 for 12 on third downs, and failed on both fourth-down attempts. Washington the previous week converted just 5 of 14 third downs.

"Well, we're getting people off the field right now on third down at a much higher rate," Sparano said.

Sparano also singled out more touchdowns in red-zone situations and the offense's improved numbers on third downs.

"I think on offense we're scoring touchdowns," Sparano said. "We're not getting field goals. I think we're converting more third downs on offense and we're making better plays."

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Sparano said he is still fond of the Cowboys staff that remains from when he was an assistant there from 2003-07.

This will mark the first time he's returned to face his former team during a regular season game since he was hired by the Dolphins in 2008. Miami played Dallas at Sun Life Stadium in the preseason.

Cowboys assistants Wade Williams, Skip Peete, John Garrett and Hudson Houck and coach Jason Garrett were all on the Dallas staff with Sparano.

"Those people were really good to me," Sparano said. "I mean, the (Dallas owner Jerry) Jones family and the fans there were really good to me so we spent a lot of time there obviously. And obviously I know a lot of players there too still that's it. It's a business trip. If I want a vacation in Dallas I can do that some other time."